I love notebooks, I have MANY notebooks that serve many purposes. I write my to-do lists in them, grocery lists, ideas and I LOVE them. This allows you to get super unique and personalized with a notebook. I know I have friends that would die for a Diet Coke one ;). Anyhow, I can’t wait to make some out of some old books I bought at the thrift store, I’ll let you know when I finish those beauties :). Oh and I forgot to mention that this was done with my new favorite tool….THE CINCH BINDING MACHINE. You can also find the CINCH online.
YOU NEED BINDING COIL (SOLD WHERE CINCH PRODUCTS ARE SOLD), A COVER OF YOUR CHOICE, AND SOME PAPER. 🙂 HERE IS WHAT THE BINDING COIL LOOKS LIKE UP CLOSE.
ANOTHER CLOSE SHOT OF THE BINDING COIL. THEY HAVE THESE IN ALL COLORS AND SIZES AND ALSO IN A FULL SPIRAL.
TA-DA THIS IS IT. AIN’T SHE PRETTY.
CUT YOUR PAPER TO THE SIZE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE. I CHOSE THE SIZE BY CHOOSING THE COVER SIZE FIRST, THEM MAKING MY PAPER ABOUT 1/4″ SMALLER ON THREE SIDES.
THERE IS A GUIDE TO PUNCH MORE HOLES AND MAKE THEM EXACT
THEN YOU PUT THEM ON THE RING LIKE SO…AND THE MACHINE IS BUILT TO HOLD THE RING IN PLACE UNTIL YOU ARE DONE.
CUT YOUR COVER….OK REALLY THIS STEP SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE THE PAPER CUTTING, BUT WHATEVER :).
OHHHH HERE’S MY CUTE LITTLE HELPER THAT LIKES TO HELP ME A LOT 🙂 IT’S Q. AND HERE’S MY SET-UP FOR THE SHOTS. SOMETIMES IT’S FUN TO SEE HOW PEOPLE DO THINGS….HERE’S HOW I DID THIS SHOT. I LOVE THE NATURAL LIGHT BABY, NO FLASH, IT’S THE ONLY WAY TO GO :). “MOM CAN I SIT BY YOU….CAN WE CWAFT?”
THEN YOU STICK THE BINDING ON THE BACK, AND PULL THE LEVER DOWN…..MAGIC (ALTHOUGH IT DID TAKE ME 3 TIMES TO GET IT JUST RIGHT ;).
THERE YOU HAVE IT…A LUCKY NOTEBOOK FOR SOMEONE YOU LOVE 🙂
HAVE A LOVELY ST. PATRICK’S DAY MY FRIENDS 🙂
XO,
KIRSTEN
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT ALL THE OTHER FUN ST. PATRICK’S DAY IDEAS ON OUR SITE :).
Kara says
this is such a great idea!!! I need to get one of those binding machines for sure. your little helper is too cute 🙂
Sharing this on my facebook page!
Kara
http://www.facebook.com/mineforthemaking
Valerie says
That is soo cool! I never knew that they sold a DIY binder maker thinger. And I love the peek of your set photo set up! I love to see what’s “really going on” behind the scenes! 🙂
Kirsten says
HA HA, yes you need the cinch, it’s super cool. I too like seeing people’s set-ups 🙂
Ellie G says
Love it, love it, love it! I’ve looked at that machine several times! Like I need another machine. Wait….I TOTALLY do! And I need a lucky charms notebook. Only mine would be made out of Froot Loops, or Frosted Flakes. And about 10,000 other boxes that I thought of while reading this. I SO NEED THAT MACHINE!! So cute, Kirsten!
mwasden says
cinch-envy!
Shannon says
Fun, easy and inexpensive project because I already have a box in the pantry – now off to the store to buy a cinch – LOL
Alison says
Oh my gosh–I LOVE that so much, it is so adorable!! Those would be fun and cute gifts.
Jennifer says
I practically ran to all the craft stores in my town to buy one of these today! Not a single one carried it. But I’ll keep checking! I love this idea.
Kirsten says
Online Baby 🙂 Good luck 🙂
Lindsay says
Loved this project, Kirsten! Sorry I’m late on this, but I featured your party idea last week at Craft Buds: http://www.craftbuds.com/fresh-picks-for-thursday-3-18-11/
SweetJeanette says
I have that binder do-hickey!!! I just ordered mine from HSN (Home Shopping Network).com. Just in case anybody is looking and wants to compare prices! (SMILE). I’m looking around for cool children’s books to make covers, but your cereal box idea was great – I didn’t even think of THAT! LOL Thanks for sharing!